After 11 months putting pressure on a Scottish Government desperate to appease the money men, Donald Trump has finally been given the “green” light for his destruction of a huge swath of pristine sand dune habitat in eastern Scotland.
The Guardian broke the news like this:
The billionaire property developer, Donald Trump, today won permission to build “the world’s greatest golf course”, complete with high-rise timeshare flats and eight storey hotel, on a rare and ecologically sensitive stretch of dunes overlooking the North Sea.
The New York-based businessman said he was “greatly honoured” after Scottish ministers in Edinburgh confirmed that his dream of creating one of golf’s most northerly resorts had been approved, despite vociferous opposition from environmentalists and many local residents.
More than ever, I stand by the statements I made in my post earlier this year, on The Sietch Blog:
So at what point did Trump give a voice to the rest of the biosphere when he decided to promote golf – a leisure activity – over the natural world? Take your plans for “repopulation†and “improvement†and show them to the lives that have built up a natural, sustainable ecological balance over the last 10,000 years. Now show them to the other life forms in the habitats that have been ruined by the 32,000 (and rising) golf course throughout the world. Now start to lose a little sleep over one man, Michael Forbes, who could shatter your dream – and save the lives of countless organisms.
There are clear signs when a culture has lost its moral compass entirely. When we value a game over an ecology then we have lost it big time.
Now, who’s for digging a few tunnels, sabotaging a few machines and generally making Trump’s life hell — if only to show him what it feels like to have your only home destroyed?
Trump – Oil/Gas – Libya Worldwide food shortage/Land grabbing
The inclusion of land not under the control of the developer in a Planning Application is at least immoral and probably illegal. In any case, it is against the Lisbon Treaty and a catalyst for human rights abuses similar to those suffered by the people who’s homes were in the path of the gas/oil pipe that runs from Azerbaijan through Turkey. The Turkish people were literally bulldozed off their property The compulsory purchase of land for the Trump organisation is against European law.
The Panning Process as it stands today undermines the democratic process in favour of unelected unaccountable entities who manipulate and deceive for gain. It may be no coincidence that “Approved†major controversial Planning Applications in Scotland are so often in Liberal Democrat controlled Councils.
Mr Trump ,on his own, is in no position to fund a billion pound project .He needs foreign investment and Scottish Taxpayers hard earned money. Of course, he will qualify for several European and Scottish Government Grants. Two grants meant for the most impoverished in our society are being targeted to support developments such as the Trump Development.
When it can be shown that Local Councillors are briefed from a higher authority as to how they are to vote on any major Planning Application and they not only do so against the will of the people but illicit letters of recommendation in exchange for jobs then they can no longer be said to represent the people. Indeed the explicit purpose of Community Partnerships negates the necessity of paying individuals(Councillors) to represent there communities at a local level. Community Partnerships silence the voice of the people. The slogan “ more power to Local Authorities†is no more than manipulation of the masses. We elect and pay Local Councillors who are no more than mouthpieces for organization/quangos who for personal and corporate gain agree terms with Investors that are against the Democratic will of the people.
The criteria necessary to become eligible for a European Grant is being exploited by the Community Partnerships in collusion with Scottish Enterprise. Thus impoverishing the worst off in our society in favour of the few.
Read the bankruptcy files on The St Andrews International Golf Club. It shows clearly the beneficiaries of such developments. They are thl Landowners who it would seem got away without paying tax. Mr Blixseth who gained almost £300million
And the Bank Credit Suisse.